The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States EnvelopesBerthold, Victor Maximilian
History
The Die Varieties of the Nesbitt Series of United States Envelopes
Berthold, Victor Maximilian
Postage stamps -- United States
HEAD XVI. Side-lock is long, straight, curved at its point, and ends
near the ear-lobe. There are five locks in the front row and four in
the back row. The highest front-lock is split into two parts. Between
the side-lock and the lowest front-lock and well towards the middle of
the former, commences a thin lock which extends far beyond the ear-lobe
and ends in the queue. "CE" wide; "EN" wide; "NT" further at base than
in Var. 1. "TS" near. This head is found on the reprints on white and
buff vertically laid paper.
VARIETY 3.
[Illustration: XVII.]
HEAD XVII. A very heavy eyebrow which comes close to the side-lock. The
latter is very fine and near the ear-lobe. The hair consists of five
long and nearly parallel locks. The second longest and heaviest lock
touches the queue. "CE" very wide; "EN" wide. "NT" wide at top. "TS"
very widely spaced.
VARIETY 4.
[Illustration: XVIII.]
HEAD XVIII. A heavy eyebrow. A short side-lock with a sharp point,
starting near the eye-brow, ends [HW: some] distance from the ear-lobe.
There are five locks in the front row and the same number in the back
row. Of the five front locks four are heavy. There is also a long and
thin strand between the second and third front-lock. Together with the
side-lock starts the lowest front-lock which broadens out towards its
middle and ends in a point a short distance behind the ear-lobe. The
second front-lock is in line with the queue. "CENTS" close to outer
frame line. "CE" nearer than in Var. 3. "T" has a short cross-stroke;
"TS" is wide and "NT" is near at top.
All varieties of the SIX CENTS red exist only on Knife 3, and all those
of the SIX CENTS green only on Knife 2. The former is a newcomer and
was styled "Official, Size 7". On account of its size (221 × 98 mm.)
the envelope did not meet with much favor, and to-day it is difficult
to find a cancelled specimen in fine condition. In accordance with the
instructions of the Post Office the envelope should have been folded so
that the right side flap overlapped the left, but this rule was not
strictly adhered to, so that many collectors possess specimens with the
opposite folding.
TEN CENTS, GREEN.
Narrow labels with straight ends. 8-1/2 loops on the left; 9 loops on
the right.
This die appeared in April, 1855. Its issuance is due to an Act of
Congress of March 3, 1855, which fixed the letter rate for
transportation over 3000 miles at 10 cents.
[Illustration]
HEAD XV: VAR. I:--Letters of "TEN" about equally spaced. "T" slants
back and is somewhat nearer the left label than "N" to the right. "CE"
close: "NT" near, and the top of the latter above "N". "S" closer to
curve than "C". Frequently a little white line runs out from the left
ornamental scrollwork a short distance above "C".
TEN CENTS, GREEN.
Very wide upper label (measuring horizontally 24-1/2 mm.) with straight
ends.
7 loops on each side.
* * * * *
[Illustration: XIX.]
[Illustration]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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